Gas cutting machine



Sept. 25, 1935. J. C. GLAUM, JR.. E1 AL 2,055,527

GAS CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 29, 1936. J. c. GLAUM. JR.; ET AL 2,055,527

' GAS CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ZwmtaI-.s l Jo/517 C glaumj:

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Sept. 29, 1936. 1 GLAUM, JR., ET AL 2,055,527

GAS CUTTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'lll/11111415511111511111 Patented Sept. 29, 1936 PATENT( OFFICE 2,055,527 Gas CUTTING MACHINE John C. Glanm, Jr., and Fred Stoneberg,

-' Chicago, lll.

Application August e, 1934, serial No. 738,616

1 3 claims. (o1. 26a-2s) This invention relates to gas cutting mechanism, and more particularly to the type that is automatically moved along during the cutting operation.

One ofthe objects oi' the invention is the provision oi a new and improved gas cutting apparatus that is provided with novel means for angularly adjusting the position of the torch for cutting plates at an angle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a gas cutting apparatus having new and improved mechanism for universally adjusting the torch.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved change speed mechanism and transmission for operating a gas cutting carriage.

I Another object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means ior adiusting and controlling the speed oi the carriage during the cutting operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved carriage for gas cutting apparatus.

Another objectl of the invention is the provision of a new and improved gas cutting apparatus that is simple in construction, efficient in operation. inexpensive to manufacture, readily assembled and easily adjusted and manipulated, and which is not likely-to become broken or get out-ofrepair.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus;

Fig. Z'is a iront elevation with parts in section; Fig. 3 is a plan View; Fig. 4 is a section on the broken line 4 4 oi Fig. 3, and also on the line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 isa section on the line 5 5 otFig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 oi Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 8 is a part plan showing radius arm. Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 9 designates the carriage which comprises a body portion I I, a torch I2 and torch adjusting mechanism I3. The body II may be of any suitable construction. In the form selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, which is for the purpose ot illustration only, the body portion comprises a hollow casing Ill opening downwardly and having a top wall I4. side walls I5 and I6, a rear wall I 1 and a stepped front wall I8 having the horizontal portion I9. The

casing I0 constitutes the framework of the apparatus, thus simplifying and greatly reducing the cost of manufacture andthe weight'oi the same, asthis casing may be cast in one piece of aluminum alloy.

The body II is provided with wheelsior transporting thesame. As shown, the rear wall I 1 is provided with rearwardly extending lugs 20 and 2| having vertical openings 22 therethrough for the reception of shanks 23 of casters 24. The 10 shank 23 of each caster is rigidly connected with said caster and is screw threaded on its outer or upper end for receiving the binding nut '25. When the binding nut 25 is loosened, the shank 23 is tree to turn in the opening 22 to permit 15 swivel movement of the caster 24, as -is usual in such constructions. By tightening the binding nuts, the casters may be locked in any desired angular adjustment.l

The casters 24 may be of any suitable con' 20 struction. As shown, each caster comprises a wheel 26 and a support 21 which projects downwardly on each side of the wheel through which a pivot 28 extends for constituting an axle for the wheel 26.

25 The body at its front end has its side walls provided with bosses having recesses 29 (see Fig. 2) in which are mounted ball bearings 3i for the front axle 32. This axle is provided with the wheels 33 and 34 adjacent to the side walls of the 30 wall I4 of the casing is provided with a switch 4I movable to three positions for stopping, starting and reversing the motor. The speed of the motor is controlled by a conventional rheostat 42,

the knob 43 of which extends above the top wall 45 I4 and is arranged adjacent to the switch 4I.

Appropriate change speed mechanism 38 is provided for operating the carriage from the motor 36. This -mechanism comprises a drive shaft 44 journaled at its forward end in the 50 downwardly extending lugs 45 and 46 which are rigidly secured to the stepped front wall I8. v

This shaft is provided with a worm 41 which engages a worm gear 48 rigidly secured to the axle 32 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The axle 32 is sup.

This means comprises a variable speed 35 ported at opposite sides of the worm gear 48 by hanger arms 49 and 5| (see Fig. 2), which depend from, and are rigidly connected to, the horizontal portion I9 oi' the front wall, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The drive shaft 44 is in two parts adapted to be connected by a clutch 52. The rear section 40 of the shaft 44 is driven from the motor 36 through a reduced gearing con.- stituting the transmission 31. The section 40 of the shaft 44 is provided with a pinion 53 which meshes with a gear 54 on a counter shaft 55. The shaft 55 is also in two parts connected together by a clutch 56. The forward portion of the shaft 55 is provided with a gear 51 which meshes with a gear 58 on the forward portion of the drive shaft 44. Gears 51 and 58 have the same number of teeth while the pinion 53 has a less number of teeth than the gear 54, thereby providing a two-speed drive through this mechanism.

The clutch operating mechanism comprises a transverse shaft 59 on which is mounted an arm 6 I, oneend of which is provided with clutch pins 62 engaging in a groove 63 on the sliding clutch sleeve of the clutch 56 for operating the same. The other end of the arm is provided with clutch pins 64 which engage in a groove 65 in the sliding clutch sleeve of the clutch 52 for operating the clutch on the shaft 55. A cross arm' 66 is provided on the shaft 59 and has attached to one of its ends a push button 61 and attached to its other end a push button 68. The push buttons 61 and 68 extend upwardly through the top wall I4 of the body whereby access may be readily had to the same. In the operation of the device; assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, when it is desired to operate the carriage directly from the motor through the transmission and the power shaft 44, the button 68 is pressed downward which will rock the arm 6| for interengaging the clutch member 52. When it is desired to operate the carriage at a slower rate of speed by the change speed mechanism, the button 61 is depressed which will disengage the clutch 52 and engage the clutch 56. The drive will then be from the motor through the transmission or gear reduction mechanism 31 through the pinion 53, gear 54 and gears 51 and 58 for operating the shaft 44 at a lower rate of speed. For finer adjustments of speed, the rheostat 43 is operated for controlling the speed of the motor 36. When the buttons 61 and 68 are in the position shown in Fig. 4, the motor is disengaged from the carriage driving mechanism and the carriage may then be moved to any desired position by hand. Suitable means are provided for supporting and for adjusting the torch I2. In the form of construction shown, the horizontal part I9 of the stepped front wall I8 is provided with a pair of upstanding projections 1| and 12 (see Figs. l and 4). Each of these lugs is provided with a horizontal opening adjacent its upper end. A base member 13 has downwardly extending lugs 14 and 15 which are provided with apertures through which an adjusting or clamping screw 16 extends for connecting the base member' 13 to either of the lugs 1I or 12, as desired. The aperture through the lug 14 is screw threaded whereby by manipulating the screw 16, the lugs 14 and 15 may be clamped against the'sides of the upstanding projection to which the base member is attached for holding said member in any desired angular position in a vertical-plane to which it maybe turned for varying the'angle of the torch, as will presently appear. The base member 18 is provided with a guideway 11 in 'which is slidably mounted the horizontal arm 18o! an yL-shaped support 19.

The standard 8| constituting the vertical portion of the L-shaped support comprises two uprights 82 and 83 spaced apart for vproviding a guideway 84 along which an adjusting block 85 is vertically slidable, A cross member 88 connects the upper ends of the uprights 82 and 83 and an adjusting screw 81 extends downward through the cross member 86 and engages internal threads in the block for raising and lowering said block when the screw is rotated. The upper end of the screw is provided with a crank or handle 488 for rotating the screw.

Suitable means are provided for adjusting the support'19 along the base 13. As shown, the horizontal arm 18 is provided on its under side with a rack I0 (see Figs. 6 and 7) which is engaged by a pinion 80 on a shaft 90 journaled in the side walls of the base member 13.

An operating knob |00 is provided on one end of the shaft 90 for rotating the same for adjusting the support 19 transversely to the carriage.

,A torch supporting arm 89 is carried by4 the adjusting block 85. Suitable means are provided for rotating the arm 89 and holding the same in adjusted position. As shown, the arm is mounted in an inner sleeve 9| and is adjustable longitudinally therein. The inner end of the sleeve is provided with a set screw 92, the reduced end portion of which engages in a groove 93 extending longitudinally ofv said arm for preventing rotation of the arm in the inner sleeve and for holding the same in adjusted position. The inner sleeve 9| is rotatably mounted in an outer sleeve 94 rigidly secured to the block 85. 4The inner sleeve 9| is provided with an annular rack 95 (see Fig. 6) which is adapted to be engaged by a worm 96 carried by lugs 91 and 98 on the sleeve 94. The worm shaft is provided at its outer end with a knurled knob 99 for rotating the worm, The outer end of the arm 89 is provided with a split sleeve |0| in which is slidably mounted the torch I2. The ends of the split sleeve have apertured extensions |02 through which the clamping screw |03 extends. 'I'he inner extension |02 is threaded whereby on turning of the screw |03 the sleeve may be clamped about the torch I2.

When it is desired to elevate the torch I2, the screw 81 is rotated by the handle 88 or the screw |03 may be loosened and the torch elevated by hand.

The torch I2 may be adjusted angularly in a I vertical'plane longitudinally of the vehicle by rotating the knob 99 of the worm shaft 96. To adjust the torch angularly transversely to the carriage for bevel cutting, the clamping screw 16 is loosened and the base 'I3 is elevated or depressed to a position for cutting the plate at the required angle to give it the desired bevel. The torch may be adjusted to and from the carriage by rotating the knob |00 which will cause the support 18 to move along the base 13. The torch may also be adiusted transversely to the carriage by looseningr the set screw 92 (see Fig. 2)

' and sliding the arm 89 through the inner sleeve 9|.

Means are provided for making circular cuts with the apparatus. Any suitable means may be employed for this purpose. As shown. a radius member |04 comprising a head |65 and an arm ||5 is employed for this purpose. The head |05 is provided with a socket |06 which is adapted 1| or 12. The side wallsv of the .socket have aligned apertures for receiving a pin IIB for pivotally connecting the head to theJug. The

' along the arm by a set screw head is provided with the set screws |01 and v|08 for angularly adjusting the radius member about the pivot IIB for raising the wheel 34. 'I 'he inner end of the arm ||5 is threaded into the head and its outer end is provided with an adjustingl and holding block |09. The block has an aperture |10 therethrough for slidingiy receiving the arm ||5. The block is held in adjusted position The block |09 also has a vertical aperture for slidably receiving the centering arm |I2. The arm is held in adjusted position by a set screw H3.

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to make a curved or circular cut, an indentation is made in the plate at the center of the proposed curved and the radius member |04 is attached to the lug 12 and the parts adjusted to the proper radius, the centering arm is adjusted so that the point H4 engages in the indentation, after which the set screw |01 is operated to swing the radius member downward which will raise the inner wheel and caster. The outer caster is then released to enable it to swivel and the device is ready for operation.

The parts are preferably, though not necessarily, so constructedthat by offsetting the ra'- dius member |04`the centering arm ||2 and the torch will be in the verticall plane of the `front axle 32 so that the axle, torch arm and member' |06 will constitute the .radius of the curve in cut-- ting the metal. If circular cuts are desired, the support 19 may be removed lfrom the base 13, turned end for end and replaced with the torch on the same side of thecarriage as the radius member.y By adjusting the block |09 along the arm H5, or by adjusting the support 19, or the arm 89, or any or 'all of-them, the curve of the'desired radius may be cut. I We claimxas our inventionzi 1. In a gascutting apparatus, a carriage, rtorch supporting' means onsaid carriage, said means including an upright' standard, -a torchl supporting arm slidably mountedfon said standard, a torch carried by saidja'rrn,` means for elevating said arm on said standard,1and-means mounted directly on the standard for rotating said arm relative to said standard. Y

` 2. In a gas cutting apparatus, a carriage, means for operating the same at arselected speed, a torch, means including a standard for supporting said torch from said carriage, mechanism on said standard for adjusting said torch angularly in a vertical plane longitudinally of said carriage,

' means for operating said mechanism, means for raising and lowering said mechanism on said standard, and means for anguiarly adjusting) said torch in a plane transversely to said carriage.

r3. In a gas cutting apparatus, a carrlage,"'a

standard f or supporting a gastorch, means on' said carriage for adjusting said standard angulaly in a vertical plane transversely to said carriage, means for adjusting said torch to and from said carriage, and means for raising and lowering said torch on said standard. l

4. In a gas 'cutting apparatus, a carriage, an

upright standard, means for pivotally connecting said standard to` said carriage to pivot about a horizontal axis, a torch carrying arm' slidably mounted on said standard'. and a torch carried by said arm.'y 'i 5. In a gas cutting machine, a carriage comof shorter radii change speed mechanism housed withinthe rear portion of said casing for driving said carriage from said motor, a torch, a supporting standard therefor, mounted'on said oiset, means for adjusting said supporting standard relative to said casing whereby said torch and supporting stand- .ard may be moved transversely'outwardly from said casing and tiltedin a plane transversely to said carriage. v

6. In a gas cutting apparatus, a carriage, means for propelling the same, a gas torch, means for adjustably mounting the same onsaid carriage, said means comprising a. post at each side of said carriage, a torch support interchangeably connected to said posts and adjustable in a vertical plane about said posts, a radius member, means for adjustably connecting said member to either of said posts, said support and member being interchangeable, a centering element and means' for adjustably supporting saidelement from said member.

'I'.f In a gas cutting apparatus, a carriage, means for propelling the same, a supporting elea pairl ment at each side of said carriage, a track mem- Der -adapted to be connectedto either of said elements to swing in a vertical plane, a torch support slidably mounted on said track, a torch and means for adjustably mounting said torchy porting slide-way, means including a horizontal post for pivotally lmounting said slide-way on said carriage, a. torch support slidable along said slide-way, said support being reversible on said slide-way whereby by reversing said support said torch may be supported at either side of said carriage. y l A 9. In a gas cutting apparatus."za carriage, a

supporting element rigidly ,mounted on said carriage, a slide-way pivoted to said elementa1sup port slidable along said slide-way, an'arm on` said support, means to rotate said arm on said support, means for raising and? lowering said arm'hon said support, means for rotating said arm on saidv support, a torch and means for adjustably mounting said. torch on said arm.

f .10. In agas. v cutting apparatus, a carriage, means for propelling the same, a support mounted .on saidcarriage. atorch supporting arm. means for raisingland loweringthe same on said support, means; fori: rotating said armfon said support and for slidablysupporting the same. a torch' and means for adjustabiy supporting said torch onsaid fl l1. In a gas cutting-g apparenza, .a carriage,

. means forl operating thesame at a'selected speed, Ia standard rigidly mounted on said carriage, a

base member pivoted to said standard to swing aboutl a horizontal axis. anl L-shaped support' slidably mounted on-said base member, 'means i'or moving said support along said member, a vably mounted on said torch supporting armmo support, means for raising andv lowering said 75 arm on said support, a torch, and means for vad- Justably connecting said torch to said arm.

12. In a gas cutting apparatus, a carriage.

means for operating the same at a selected speed. a standard rigidly Vbase member pivoted to said standard to -swing mounted on said carriage. a

arm on said support, a torch, and means for sndably connecting said; torch to said ann. 13. In a gas cutting apparatus, a carriage, means for operating the same at a selected speed, a standard rigidly mounted on said carriage, a base member pivoted to saidstandard to swing about a horizontal axis, a support adjustable along said base, said support comprising an upstanding member, a torch supporting arm slidably and rotatably mounted on said member, and

a torch slidably and rotatably mounted on said 10 arm.

JOHN C. GLAUM. JR. PRED STONEBERG. 

